#tf2 rambles

1. Scout/Pyro (Flashfire) - 10/10

honestly? love this ship. mwah mwah. I think these two would have a unique build up to a relationship. Scout being intimidated at first by Pyro (then realizing Pyro is actually pretty chill), and Pyro genuinely wanting to befriend Scout because he’s funny and pretty.

I see Pyro as being able to keep up with Scout’s hyperactive nature, but also being able to coax out a calmer side. Scout has trouble understanding his own emotions and expressing them (being very emotional and fearful of what others may think of him for that) and pyro is very patient and loving. They’re both chaotic, loving, expressive, and have a need to be understood and not disregarded by assumptions.

I see pyro as being very open to physical touch, but won’t actively initiate it. I think pyro would prefer quality time and acts of service. their main love language being gift giving and quality time. scout on the other hand I could see preferring quality time and physical touch (but having to be the one to initiate it), but would outwardly express words of affirmation and gifts.

Whenever I think of these two I think of their relationship being very soft. Yeah they’re chaotic and dangerous, but I can see them being very soft with one another. Scout talks a lot and Pyro listens. Pyro talks a lot and Scout listens. I think their relationship wouldn’t be established for a good while, until Scout one day just asks if they’re dating or not while they’re cuddling and watching some action movie.

I think they’d have stupid nicknames. Well on scout’s part, I don’t think pyro would make nicknames. Scout would still call them mumbles, chucklehead, and other stupid stuff, but he’d say it in a very affectionate way.

Pyro would definitely without thinking link their pinkies together when they’re near one another. It flusters Scout every single time, without fail. Scout uses flirts and pick up lines and Pyro is unaffected by them(though finds it hilarious when Scout trips over his words). If anything, they find scout’s attempts funny but prefer when he’s just being real and down to earth, rather than trying to “puff” himself up, and when he seeks out Pyro for comfort and touch. Whether it just be to hold hands or lean on.

2. Scout/Soldier (All American Offense/Batting Helmet) - 7/10

I’m kinda unsure how I feel about this ship!! I give it a high rating because i think it could be unique and these two would definitely be fun together. I’m not sure if I could ever see them being in an established romantic relationship, but I could see them being in a close relationship which isn’t exactly anything labeled.

Unlike flashfire I can see their relationship being very hyper rather than soft. They’re both reckless and loud which definitely leads to both of them making bad decisions which Spy or Demo have to get them out of. They’d definitely bond and strength their relationship over their love of adrenaline. Both, Soldier and Scout are so SO loving, and I definitely think they’d put their all into a relationship and both constantly try to impress the other. Especially on the battlefield, I can see them yelling for the other and going ‘did you see that?!’ Or ‘that was for you!!’ kinda thing. You kill one of them? Within seconds you’re killed by the other.

I do think their relationship would be a bit rocky at times due to miscommunication on both sides. Soldier and Scout tend to run into things without thinking, making plans on the go, and misinterpreting things. If they were to establish any sort of partnership they’d have to work on communicating. Both of them would have to work on not only their communication skills but also their emotional responses to things. Both of them are very prone to emotional outbursts/irritation which they’d have to work on.

However! It’s evident both mercs are so loving and aware of others emotions. I think in a relationship, Scout would stop making joking insults which Solly wouldn’t understand, and would ask Solly more questions about himself rather than his stories. Of course!! Scout and Soldier would 100% bond over stories of crushing people’s skulls, and be so hyped to hear about the other’s experiences. However the curiosity towards him as a person and his interests other than war I think would startle and slightly scare Soldier at first honestly.

Overall I think they’re relationship would be very fluid and interesting to work with. They’re love language would be far from conventional: wrestling/physical fighting(not out of anger), and not outwardly ‘romantic’ tendencies. I don’t think they’d be the type to be touchy or have flowery words. On their own I think both of them could be physical and loud with their affection but together I think it would be more of a casual thing. Maybe an affectionate pet name thrown in an offhand sentence or remark, or a gentle guidance towards a different decision. I can’t see them full on cuddling, but rather being near one another and leaning on the other. At most maybe Scout putting his head in Solly’s lap or running his hand through Solly’s buzz cut.

I do think that as hyper as they’d be, they would have very sweet moments on ceasefire days. Whether it be resting/sleeping in, cooking, or just talking and playing cards. I think with simple daily activities the more soft “intimate” side would be drawn forward. I don’t think they’d ever refer to their relationship as romantic, but I don’t think they’d stop someone from assuming they’re dating, y’know?

3. Scout/Demoman (Hop Scotch) - 10/10

Similar to All American Offense, I don’t think these two would put a label on their relationship. I think it would more be like they’re aware of how loving the other is and how strong their bond is as a friendship, and just acknowledge they love each other; whether it be fully platonic or not.

Demo with his desire for touch and Scout with flippant touch adversity and desire, I think they would definitely be one of the more sweeter duo and outwardly affectionate. They’d be more willing to show physical affection in front of others, like hugging, kissing, cuddling, those kinda things.

Scout would be so excited to learn about Demo’s culture and it would be oh so sweet. Demo is patient and more than happy to share his Scottish culture with any s/o he has. He shares cultural dishes while Scout shares dishes his ma used to make. For both Scout and Demo family means a lot, which is something I think would definitely strengthen their bond, along with both of them being openly emotional and willing to share their issues with one another (of course that would take time).

Demo willingly hearing out Scout without making him feel stupid and Scout listening to Demo’s turmoil and validating his feelings. I definitely think their relationship would work since I imagine Demo actively reminding Scout that he sees him as an equal and doesn’t look down on him at all. Which helps since Scout is very self conscious. In return, Demo is equally self conscious and struggles with self image, which Scout counteracts by constant verbal affection and being able to talk Demo through it. I think they’re relationship would lean very heavily into verbal and physical affection. Demo finds it funny whenever Scout hypes him up. Scout in term gets really embarrassed when Demo says anything sweet to him, but also determined to show off.

I see Demo as being open to physical contact and craving it, but always makes it obvious and asks if he can touch Scout before doing so, something Scout appreciates immensely. That being said, I do think that with Demo, Scout would be very more physically affectionate compared to some of the other ships. I just see them being a very go with the flow relationship which leaves Scout feeling more than comfortable with touch when it comes to Demo. Anyway they’re really cute and sweet and both deserve love and happiness and I wanna see more of them.

4. Scout/Medic (Blunt Trauma/Quick Fix) - 10/10

Hands down, I adore this duo. They’re absolutely adorable and love mediscout shippers. I went over their duo a little bit in a few posts ago, but I love the idea of both of them being equally fascinated by the other.

Scout always being the first to go see Doc and volunteering for experiments. Medic being enthralled by how healthy Scout is and finding him beautiful, both inside and out. I think this duo has a lot of potential, especially with metaphors and love that goes deeper than what is associated with the term. Their relationship could be very poetic. I do think these two would start off with a very awkward relationship, and this sense of awkwardness never really leaves it which adds to their charm as a duo.

I think it would start with Scout developing a bit of a puppy crush, finding Medic handsome and amazing in terms of skill. Scout being outwardly very awkward and loving (constantly following medic to infodump and talk about anything and everything just to get a convo going) and getting flustered by Medic who could just be standing there. Medic in turn I think would pick up on the little crush scout has and find it endearing but not think much of it. More than willing to talk to Scout about his ideas and thoughts, but never thinking he’d regard Scout in a romantic manner. I don’t think Medic would realize he had feelings for Scout until someone pointed it out. Engie says to him how he gets a fond look in his eyes and his entire demeanor just softens. Which gets Medic thinking and he just goes ‘oh shit’. Once the realization is there, I think Doc would become equally as or even more awkward and nervous than Scout. He’d still ask scout for help with certain things or lion for him to make conversation, but he’d fumble with his words more and be more mindful/careful of how he handles the other in surgery.

Anyway they’d probably establish their relationship through the help of others, which leaves Scout asking bluntly and awkwardly if they could establish something and Medic agreeing. From then on it’d be a bit more smooth sailing. One of the only issues I could see them running into a lot of times could be fear for the other. Medic fearing Scout getting so hurt that even he couldn’t heal him, or Scout somehow hating or failing out of love. Scout on the other hand would fear Medic dying rather than getting hurt and the idea of doc ever finding him annoying rather than endearing.

Both of them having issues with touch, some days loving it and other days hating it, i think physical aspects of a relationship like any sort of touch would be very special and a huge sign of trust. Whether it be Medic studying Scout’s heart or Scout gently rubbing under Medic’s eyes.

They would have cute nicknames for one another and I think their relationship would be very sweet and poetic.

Overall I love their dynamic and want more soft stuff of them. (Plus the idea of the man who outsmarted the devil being with god’s gift is SO hilarious to me.)

5. Scout/Sniper (Speeding Bullet) - 7.5/10

Honestly? I think they’re cute but similar to earlier ships mentioned I don’t think these two would ever put a label on their relationship. It’s not my favorite but I’m not against it, the art of them is adorable.

I’ve mentioned before how I believe their friendship is finding freedom and normalcy in the other which is something that would stay in any relationship they have. I don’t think they’d change anything about the way they interact with one another even if they were officially dating. It would still be very laid back and loose in a way.

I don’t know if they’d do very romantic things, maybe a few chaste kisses and laying on the other as a weighted blanket, but otherwise i can’t see them having a very touchy relationship. I think in terms of romance their bond would be: feeling so much love and fondness for another person and being okay with it and not wanting to change the relationship beyond what it is.

They find freedom in the other and just kinda go with it, y’know? I can see them more being a QPR than a standard romantic relationship.

For the last few:

Scout/Engie and Scout/Heavy

Personally I can’t see either relationship being romantic or anything other than platonic. I think scout sees heavy as an older brother and Heavy views scout as a younger brother, and it being unable to go beyond that.

On the other hand for engie, I just personally can’t see engie with many people. I’ve always regarded engie as aroace, which while he could have a relationship, I can’t see him actively seeking or desiring one. Plus I’ve mentioned before how I think engie and scout would have a rather rocky-unsure relationship which would need heavy communication.

Overall!! Scout is so loving and deserves love!!

I feel bad for not getting to this for awhile but I’ve had it on my mind. And I need to keep thinking about specific reactions cause hooh

I know all of them would feel betrayed, some in disbelief. All wonder Why? After all these years of working with them, dealing with the aftermath of their jobs, why would she betray them?

Some would feel worse than others, Ex. Scout. I feel Scout would feel a bit worse than the others, being that he likes Ms. Pauling and has gone on a few jobs with her, as said in Expiration Date, since she asks him if he wants to go on any jobs with her and the whole thing with Spy helping Scout. The fact that the two got along and Pauling actually had fun while fighting the giant mutant bread. Also when first told, he may be in disbelief until he is shown the truth, that’s when the devastation starts

The mercs would realize that they are out of the job for good if Mann Co. collapsed, I think most of them would go back to what they did when they were fired due to Grey Mann in the comics. With a few exceptions, Medic being one of them, who was with TFC in the comics, would have to find something else to do since it’s all shut down... not sure what exactly but he would be forced too.

So disbelief to betrayal/sadness/maybe a bit of anger (who am I kidding, yes, anger) to having to move onto to something else in their lives.

Like, this honestly gets my gears turning. I like it!

I do plan on going back to this again. But I need to think more on the others but please, if you ever want to go through and talk about, don’t be afraid to message me (That pretty much goes for everyone). For real, you got anything, I’ll do my best to answer or talk through it!

I find AUs fascinating, I love them and wish to help others if they need it

Also thank you for the compliment on my writing, I’m happy that you think I have a good depiction of the mercs!